M. after 29 Jun 1659 in Bristol, England2
Wife: Joan Gunning
D. 28 Oct 1703 in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England3
The 17th century in England were turbulent times for some noblemen — each had to decide whether they were loyal to the monarchy or to those who opposed it. Edward Strode made his choice, and almost had to pay with his life.
Edward was born into an upper-class family with a large holding of land in Somerset. His parents were Sir William Strode and Joan Barnard, and he was the fifth of their 13 children. On April 2, 1629, Edward was baptized at Shepton Mallet,1 which is about 16 miles southwest of Bath, and is today the closest town to the Glastonbury Festival. Edward’s father had been colonel of the Parliamentary Army, and a member of the House of Commons.3 He was also involved in the woolen business,3 and it’s believed Edward took up this trade as well.
The Strode coat of arms at Edward’s burial place.
Records show that Edward was given a pension (scholarship) to attend Emmanuel College at Cambridge University, and this was likely because of his father’s influence and status.3 Emmanuel College was founded in 1584 as a place to train Anglican ministers, but it’s believed that Edward studied the law, and he presumably earned a degree. As Edward came of age, King Charles I was fighting significant opposition to his reign, and sentiment against him was high among the Strode family.3 During the late 1640s, Edward’s father supplied some horses to forces going up against the king, and 20-year-old Edward was also involved in this.3
Soon after, Oliver Cromwell took charge of England and Charles I was beheaded, which meant the Strodes were safe from prosecution over aiding the rebels. But in 1660, the monarchy was restored, and perhaps for his own survival, Edward’s father “made his humble submission” to the new king, Charles II.3 William Strode passed away in 1666, and afterwards, Edward, now given the title “Esquire of Downside,”3 seemed to lie low regarding his loyalties.
During these years, Edward married Joan Gunning, the daughter of a Bristol alderman, with the publishing of banns taking place on June 29, 1659,2 and between 1660 and 1675, they had 10 children. Joan passed away on April 1, 1679.3 Several letters have been preserved in archives which were written by Edward during a period of December 1679 to April 1680. In one of them he mentions that everyone in his household was sick with the measles. Other letters talk about social concerns among Somerset nobility, commenting on various men and women, but the context is lost to history.3
It was during the 1680s that Edward again showed support for factions that opposed the ruling king. At that time, an illegitimate son of Charles II, who was known as the Duke of Monmouth, started building up a following in England. And when his father died in 1685 and his brother James II was declared his successor, Monmouth made a claim on the throne.3 As he gathered supporters, Monmouth visited Edward in his home more than once; it’s believed that he was trying to get financial backing from the Strode family.3
Edward Strode.
Monmouth’s fight for the crown was short-lived. His peasant army was quickly overpowered by the King’s regulars, and Monmouth tried to flee for his life.3 After a bloody battle, Edward gave him lodging for one night,3 which was a huge risk. A few days later, Monmouth was captured and taken to the Tower of London, where on July 15, 1685, he was beheaded.3
Edward was also arrested and imprisoned in the Tower,3 but didn’t suffer the same fate. So how did Edward escape being executed for his association with the Duke of Monmouth? Those in control decided a more fruitful thing would be to extort large sums of money from him. He was made to pay up a lot of his wealth in exchange for a pardon granted on March 26, 1687.3 A witness reported that Edward returned home and declared to his oldest daughter, “I’ve got my pardon dear, but it has cost me your apron full of gold.”3 The unfortunate men supporting Monmouth who didn’t have money were said to have been sentenced without a trial and hanged.3
After this, Edward turned his support to the king. He was made a sheriff of Somerset,3 and served for a time in the House of Commons.3 Edward was also responsible for funding the construction of an almshouse for four men.3 This sort of charity was a part of English nobility throughout much of the country’s history.
Strode’s almshouse.
Edward wrote a will dated September 24, 1697 leaving bequests to his surviving children, seeming to favor his daughter Elizabeth with the bulk of his estate.3 He died six years later on October 28, 1703, and he was buried in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Shepton Mallet.3 Edward was a distant ancestor of baseball players Ray Boone, Bob Boone, Bret Boone and Aaron Boone.
Children:
1. William Strode — B. 8 Jul 1660, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England;3 D. 24 Mar 1662, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England3
2. Elizabeth Strode — B. before 21 Mar 1661, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England;3 D. 9 Aug 1715, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England3
3. Edward Strode — B. about 1663, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England;3 D. about 1 Sep 1664, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England3
4. Joanna Strode3
5. Jane Strode — B. about 1665, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England;3 D. after 20 Mar 1712;3 M. Joseph Browne3
6. Edward Strode — B. about 1667, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England;3 D. before 1669, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England3
7. Edward Strode — B. before 16 Jun 1670, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England;3 D. 1697, at sea (Atlantic Ocean);3 M. Susannah Hatchett (1673-1697), London, England3
8. Mercy Strode — B. about 1673, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England;3 D. Apr 1732, M. Francis Wyndham3
9. John Strode — B. before 13 Oct 1675, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England;3 D. 1737, Virginia;3 M. Hannah _____, before 17003
10. Mary Strode — B. before 13 Oct 1675, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England;3 D. about 23 Apr 1676, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England3
Sources:
1 Christening record of Edward Strode, England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Edward Strode and Joan Gunning, England, Somerset, Church Records, 1501-1999, FamilySearch.org
3 In Search of the Strode Orphans: The Ancestry of Edward Strode, Jeremiah Strode, Samuel Strode, and Martha (Strode) Bryan, David C. McMurtry, Michael L. Kallam and Kerry Ross O’Boran, 1998
